With the possibility of war between the Federal States and Great Britain a
possibility at the end of 1861, the Grenadier and Scots Fusilier Guards were dispatched to
Canada to shore up its defences. Tensions soon subsided in 1862. That same year, civil war
broke out in the United States and it was deemed prudent that the Guards remain in
garrison in Canada. The guards officers quickly made themselves busy in North America with
hunting and snowshoe clubs, plays, balls, and so on. A number of them, ventured south of
the border into the United States to observe the bloodiest war ever to occur on North
American soil. From the journals of these officers, a publication was created entitled The
Journal of the Household Brigade covering the years 1862 to 1864. The following is an
extract of a skating masquerade that was attended by a Guards officer in Montreal during
the winter of 1863-1864. While not occurring at Christmas, Santa Claus does receive a
mention.

"THE SKATING
MASQUERADE

VICTORIA SKATING RINK--The Fancy Dress
Entertainment, the announcement of which has raised such high expectations, came off with
the greatest éclat. Over the entrance to the Rink outside, was a handsome
transparency, consisting of the Prince of Wales' Feathers, with the Royal Arms on each
side; the whole being surmounted by a wreath, held by two angels. The crush at the door in
the earlier part of the evening was very considerable. Once inside, however, the animated
spectacle presented to the visitor fully repaid the inconvenience momentarily sustained by
a good squeeze. The interior of the rink was brilliantly lighted and decorated with Union
Jacks, Trinity flags, and evergreens. In the centre, upon a raised platform, was stationed
the band of the Royal Artillery, and in the gallery over the entrance the drums and fifes
of the Grenadier Guards, which performed alternately with their well-known skill and
effect. From the centre platform the rink afforded a novel scene of gliding masqueraders
in every variety of fancy costume, among the most striking of which we must notice several
very well got-up red Indians in real costume, who looked as if they could make the
building echo with a mar whoop. A knight in armour also made very splendid appearance; nor
must we forget Old Santa. Claus, who swept along, surrounded by a band of juveniles, with
a most benevolent air. Then there were Quakers, Contrabands, Zouitves, Corsairs, Jockeys,
Carters, Habitants, Sailors, Turks, Creeks. Here Lord Dundreary might be observed in
conversation with Napoleon Bonaparte, and Robinson Crusoe conversing with Sam Slick. There
was also an elegant genus of red devils, with blue wings, who found innocent pleasure in
pursuing unfortunate contrabands, till they were supposed to take refuge in the infernal
regions. The female characters were not so numerous as the masculine ones. We however
noticed a Highland Herd Lassie, a Russian Lady, several Black Nuns, Flower Girls,
Quakeresses, red riding Hoods, the Maid of Athens, a Bohemian Peasant. &c."

The rink was densely crowded with spectators, of
whom it is computed there were about 4000 present."

An excellent gift for the
Military History Enthusiast who has been "good" all year is a Victorian "Good Conduct" Medal awarded to British Soldiers.
See our
gift section for details.